key tax return and refund dates
When can you file your taxes?
You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a “queue” and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.
Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.
When does the IRS accept tax returns?
The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on January 26, 2026.
When is the IRS test batch?
If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.
When will I get my tax refund?
Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.
Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?
The IRS no longer publishes an official tax refund cycle chart. It has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Since then, dozens of versions have popped up, some better than others.
That’s where we step in.
Get the dates, skip the guessing.
Each year, we compile the most accurate Refund Cycle Chart, built from IRS manuals, payout trends, PATH Act release dates, holidays, and real user updates, so you don’t have to guess when your refund will hit.
Check the IGMR Refund Cycle Chart and see when your money’s coming.
tax refund grapevine
This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.
tax refund tools
IRS Update Cycle
Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.
When are Updates?
The IRS has regular mass update cycles.
WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?
Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.
WHEN DO transcripts update?
Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.
Does anyone remember when we started seeing people with the verify identity msgs on wmr last year
@Mbry0625: ok Thank you i was so nervous the damm shaderoom comments were going crazy and ppl was in there talking about … we won’t be getting our refund lol and laughing at us .. thank you 😊
@Stephennotsignedin: I’m the same as you. I’m convinced we have the still processing message bc ssa isn’t showing our wages yet. I know my w2 was accepted by ssa last Wednesday afternoon, but my processing was Thursday so I don’t think there was enough time. I’m hoping my wages are showing by tomorrow night so that I can complete this week. Sorry that I don’t know the timing of how long it takes w2 to show up on ssa
@John-Jaw: when you apply for a home or a big loan the bank usually requires tax return. Its just a letter to show you haven’t filed yet. I would not read much in it. Do any of your transcripts show 2024 besides the income and the VONF?
@Tk: I am shocked it accepted your return. Our 1st year I was unaware and it rejected my return. I got the email early with our 1095-A and filed, and was accepted on 1/21. HOWEVER, we received an email a few days later with an updated 1095-A and suggested we amend. Our return, per my acct, has not been processed and that’s unusual🤔😒.
What is the transcript of verification of non filing letter? Did they reword this from previous years?
@Mandie: That just means you haven’t process through the system yet. I filled on the 23 and was accepted the 24th and I don’t expect anything until maybe Friday morning when weeklies process but more than likely not until February 6th. When were you accepted by IRS?
@Tk: mine wouldn’t even process. They sent letter before I processed.
Wish I could call TT and ask what’s going on why haven’t I been accepted yet
Wish I could call TT and ask what’s going on why haven’t I been accepted yet
@everyone remember if you have the IRS account to login and check transcripts you can change your letter delivery method to online. This will speed up all your waiting for letter if you ever have to get one.
@Mbry0625: did they send the letter out before or after the path lifted if you had those credits?
@everyone updates are coming for those that got accepted last week, Las night my account transcript finally populated and has an as of date of the 17th. everything still shows 0 but looks like possibly I moved to daily this year. Either way I have to wait for the Path hold to lift. Updates are coming. Happy tax season everyone! Last year i filed the 2nd of Feb. and still got my refund by the 21st of Feb.
@JJWentworth: The 5 days early is a complete hoax. You need to demand your money back from Turbo Tax.
@Tk: they could require to you submit the form. I had to do this four years ago, they required me to fax the forms but it only held me up about two weeks but it may proceed without as well. You could have been resequenced. I tend to do that every year. Unfortunately, it could be either but I don’t think you would of been accepted if it was 1095a form but I can’t guaranteed
@Morris: We are in the same boat. I was accepted the 24th and only one bar and no population of 2024 account transcript
@Mandie: when were you accepted?
@Tykillaa28: I don’t believe so. It’s grants and loans.
It was pretty easy. Federal was accepted with 30 mins
I asked this question yesterday and go a part answer so I will ask again just for clarification. I submitted my return 1/13 and it was rejected for my daughter needing 1095-A form on 1/17. I resubmitted it with the form and it was accepted on the same day 1/17. A few days later I received a form 1095-A for me. Is it possible that my return will still get processed and I can just amend it or will they send out a letter rq that form? My transcripts have already populated but everything is 0 with no cycle code.
Hey everyone Happy New year!! And Blessings!
I have a question since it was said that the white house pauses all Federal Grants and loans! Does this have anything to do with us getting our refund? Someone please answer..
@Mandie: have they accepted it yet? Mine took a week after acceptance for 2 to show up
Anyone else’s transcripts not even showing up for this year yet? Not even blank ones. I filed on 1/21 and all I have for 2024 is the return not filed transcript
I’m in California, and for the first time in my life, I received my federal before my state. I know my state is dealing with a lot, but this is a first for me. Still waiting on my state and I received my federal yesterday, 01/27
@Dentonj88: Im in Oklahoma. H&R block just shows my state was esubmitted. However, not update on it sadly. Last year i got my federal before my state.